One of the many things women don’t want to hear – You have been diagnosed with yeast infection. Men also can get yeast infection, but mostly it happens to women. It is caused by a microscopic fungi. But here are some home remedies to help alleviate the infection:

Garlic –

Garlic has anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and antibiotic properties that help fight yeast infection. Crush a couple of garlic cloves into a paste and apply it to the affected area. Or dilute garlic oil with coconut and Vitamin E oil. Other options include taking garlic tablets or garlic cloves.

Calendula –

Calendula is a plant/herb that contains anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal properties. Smash 2-3 leaves of the plant and apply to the topical area 2-3 times a day. Tea made from this herb’s extracts also help a lot, but avoid it if you’re expecting. You can use as a lotion or ointment even.

Tea Tree Oil –

Make a dilute solution of tea tree oil with sweet almond oil or olive oil. Apply on affected area and follow process several times a day. For vaginal yeast infection, put a few drops of tea tree oil on a tampon and insert for a 2-3 hours twice a day.

Yogurt –

Yogurt contains lactobacillus acidophilus, a bacteria that can stop yeast infection. But it has to be unsweetened. Apply yogurt to the affected area for 20-30 minutes to avoid the itchiness. For vaginal infection, drop a tampon into the yogurt and keep it inside of you for two hours twice a day. Add yogurt to your diet plan.

Olive Leaf Extract –

This extract contains anti-fungal, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and restores the good bacteria in your body. To make the extract at home, chop the leaves and put them in a jar covering the leaves with vodka. Cover and store in a dark place for 4 weeks. Strain the liquid into another container and apply to affected area three times a day.

Boric Acid –

A chemical liquid with moderate antiseptic properties. Not useful for pregnant women though. Dilute the acid with water and apply on the area. Leve it for a couple minutes and rinse off. Do this twice a week.

Oregano Oil –

Dilute the oil with olive oil, as it may irritate the skin and then apply to the affected area. You may even take oregano oil capsules (1-2) twice per day. Do this for a few weeks.

Coconut oil –

Apply to the external areas thrice a day. Mix equal amounts of cinnamon and coconut oil and apply to control the growth of the infection. If you have an oral thrush, swish the oil for about 5-10 minutes without swallowing. If necessary, have a few drops of tea tree or cinnamon oil prior. Do this thrice a day.

Cranberries –

It’s also used for treating UTI and other bladder infections. But you have to have unsweetened cranberry juice many times in the day. An alternate is cranberry tablets available at chemists.

Apple Cider Vinegar –

Mix two tablespoons of the vinegar with a cup of warm water and drink twice a day for a couple of days. Mix the vinegar in the water for your bath (hot) and soak yourself in it. You can even dilute the vinegar with water and apply to the affected area and wash off with water.

Surplus secretion of melanin in the skin, lack of sleep, overexposure to the sun, vitamin insufficiencies, distress, imbalance of hormones, pregnancy are factors that cause dark spots, patches and discolouration of skin. And we know how embarrassing it feels when it is clearly visible. It brings your self-esteem to the level of a cockroach’s sense of sight. Now while you may opt for getting laser treatments or facial peels done – which are rather expensive and probably harmful, why not try out simple home remedies first? Try the simpler steps before you take a big leap. Here are some Natural solutions to getting rid of dark spots:

Oats –

By using an oatmeal mask, you can eliminate dead skin cells and dark spots on your face and neck. It exfoliates your skin. So to make the mask/paste, mill half a cup of rolled oats. Then add 3-4 tablespoons of lime juice to make it into a paste. Rub it onto your face and let it dry. Rinse it off with warm water. Do this once or twice per week. Take note that if the paste doesn’t come off easily, wet a washcloth with warm water and finish the job.

Potatoes –

Potatoes can be used to rid you of dark spots. You can choose to cut a slice and leave it on the specific area for a couple of minutes and then wash off with lukewarm water. The second option would be to mix grated potato and honey to make a mask. A fruit that a few people have had success with for reducing dark spots is the tomato.

Lime Juice –

Limes which are so common and you get them at very cheap prices are known to diminish dark spots as they have Vitamin C present in them. That is why they’ve been infused in soaps, face wash and many other hygienic and skin care products. Take a cotton ball and dab some lime juice on it and apply over affected area. For those with sensitive or delicate skin, dilute the lime juice with honey, rosewater or regular water. Let it dry and wash it off with water. Carry on with this technique for at least two weeks.

Almonds –

While some people love to have an almond before they begin their day – either school or work – almond is known to have great benefits on your skin as well. Take up to ten almonds and soak them in milk overnight, peeling off their skin the next day. Add half a teaspoon of honey and one teaspoon of sandalwood powder to it and mix it into a fine cream. Apply it onto your face for about 30 minutes and then rinse it off.

Buttermilk –

Use a mixture of buttermilk to get rid of blemishes and dark spots. Mix four teaspoons of buttermilk and two of fresh tomato juice and apply and wash off after 15 minutes. If you don’t have buttermilk, you can use regular milk, as the lactic acid slowly and steadily reduces pigmentation and brightens your skin tone and complexion altogether. For regular milk (add honey if you want), dab it on a cotton ball and leave it on for 10 minutes. For both cases, do it twice a day for 5-6 weeks.

Sandalwood –

Mix sandalwood powder, rosewater (you may use either milk/honey if you don’t have rosewater) and glycerine to get a thick paste. Rub it onto the affected regions and leave it on for a couple of minutes and rinse off with lukewarm water. Do this once a day.